| Anzac Test | |
|---|---|
2005 logo |
|
| Sport | Rugby league football |
| Inaugural season | 1997 |
| Number of teams | 2 |
| Countries | Australia New Zealand |
| Trophy holders | Australia (2011) |
| Most titles | Australia (11 titles) |
| Broadcast partner | Nine Network |
The Anzac Test is an annual rugby league football test match (known as the Bundaberg Rum Test from 2004–2008 and the VB Test in 2009 for sponsorship reasons). The test match is played annually between Australia and New Zealand on or around Anzac Day for the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy.[1]
Contents |
Australia and New Zealand had competed in Rugby League Tests since 1908. The Anzac Test, played on or around Anzac Day, was introduced by Super League (Australia) in 1997. When New Zealand was defeated 56-0 in 2000 the Australian Rugby League (ARL) was criticised for playing the match before the State of Origin series. The Test was then dropped from the annual schedule in favour of match in mid-July. In 2002 and 2003 Australia defeated Great Britain (64-10) and New Zealand (48-6) in July Test matches, so the Bundaberg Rum Test (as it became known for sponsorship reasons) was revived the following year.
The Anzac Test was controversial for its use of the term Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and its perceived comparison of professional sportsmen with soldiers. However Super League donated a large sum of money to the RSL, and Bruce Ruxton featured in commercials for the inaugural Anzac Test, proclaiming
The word Anzac is protected in Australia by The Protection of Word "Anzac" Regulations (under the War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1920) and requires permission of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs for use in commercial events.[3] This permission was given for the event from 1997-1999.[4]
From 2004 until 2008 the match was officially called the Bundaberg Rum League Test, after the principal sponsor, Bundaberg Rum. For the 2009 fixture, the principal sponsor was Victoria Bitter and, as such, the match was officially called the VB Test.[5] Despite the official name change, it is still common for the match to be called the Anzac Test.[6]
Two different trophies have been awarded for the winner of this Test. For the 1997-1999 Anzac Tests, the winner was awarded the Anzac Trophy, which depicted an Australian slouch hat and New Zealand lemon squeezer hat.
Since 2004, the winner of the Bundaberg Rum League Test has been awarded the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy.[7] This trophy was donated in 1996 by Gerald Ryan ONZM, a past president of the New Zealand Rugby League. It is named after Bill Kelly, a New Zealand rugby league player in the early 20th century.
The Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy was briefly stolen by three 25 year old New Zealand men after Australia's victory in the 2006 Test. It was found several hours later on the awning of a nearby building.[8] The trophy currently resides at the Australian Rugby League headquarters in Sydney.
In 2007, the New Zealand Rugby League announced that the ANZAC Test would not be contested after 2008, citing difficulties with selecting their best possible team for a match held at that time of year. According to the NZRL Director of Football, Graham Lowe, "We have an obligation to play Australia in Sydney on 9 May next year, because it is their centenary test, and we will fulfil it, but that will be the last one." Although the NZRL did not think that the Anzac Tests were still a viable option, they were "optimistic an international calendar will be adopted.".[9]
After New Zealand's win in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, the release of new RLIF world rankings, and the introduction of a new international schedule,[10] the annual mid-season test between Australia and New Zealand was revived. The 2009 fixture was played on 8 May in Brisbane.[6]
The 2010 ANZAC Test, played on 7 May, was the first game of football at Melbourne's newly-constructed AAMI Park.
The 2011 ANZAC Test was scheduled to be held at AMI Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand, however the match had to be rescheduled at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast due to the February 2011 Christchurch Earthquake.
| Team | Wins |
|---|---|
| Australia1 | 11 |
| New Zealand | 1 |
| Date | Result | Venue | Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 May 2011 | Australia def. New Zealand 20–10 (Report) | Skilled Park, Gold Coast | 26,301 |
| 7 May 2010 | Australia def. New Zealand 12–8 (Report) | AAMI Park, Melbourne | 29,442[11] |
| 8 May 2009 | Australia def. New Zealand 38–10 | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 37,152 |
| 9 May 2008 | Australia def. New Zealand 28–12 | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | 34,571 |
| 20 April 2007 | Australia def. New Zealand 30–6 | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 50,241 |
| 5 May 2006 | Australia def. New Zealand 50–12 | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 44,191 |
| 22 April 2005 | Australia def. New Zealand 32–16[12] | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 40,317 |
| 23 April 2004 | Australia def. New Zealand 37–10 | EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle | 21,537 |
| 21 April 2000 | Australia def. New Zealand 52–0 | Stadium Australia, Sydney | 26,023 |
| 23 April 1999 | Australia def. New Zealand 20–14[13] | Stadium Australia, Sydney | 30,245 |
| 24 April 1998 | New Zealand def. Australia 22–16 | North Harbour Stadium, Auckland | 25,000 |
| 25 April 1997 | Australia (SL) def. New Zealand 34–22 | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney | 23,829 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
